Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, the notorious creator of BreachForums, a hacking forum that operated as a marketplace for illicitly traded data, has been resentenced to three years in prison. This time around, however, it's not just a matter of being sent back behind bars; rather, it's a harsher sentence imposed by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In 2015, BreachForums' precursor, RaidForums, was first launched. This hacking forum quickly gained popularity, boasting a massive community of over half a million users who sought to buy and sell stolen data, including bank account details, social security numbers, and more. The FBI eventually shut down RaidForums in 2022, and its users flocked to BreachForums, created by Fitzpatrick under the handle "Pompompurin". As one of the most prolific hacking forums in recent history, BreachForums offered a platform for cybercriminals to trade their ill-gotten gains.

In March 2023, the Department of Justice disrupted the BreachForums website and arrested its administrator. By July of that year, Fitzpatrick had pleaded guilty to hacking charges and possession of child sexual abuse material, setting him on a path towards sentencing. However, he was initially released on bond under certain conditions, which proved impossible for him to keep.

In January 2024, Fitzpatrick found himself receiving an unexpectedly lenient sentence for his role in managing BreachForums. While prosecutors had been seeking a minimum of 15 years in prison, he ended up being sentenced to just 17 days. Unfortunately, this decision was short-lived as the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit intervened and overturned Fitzpatrick's original sentence.

In light of the appeals court's decision, Fitzpatrick has now begun a new three-year prison sentence. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division had this to say about the outcome: "Today’s sentence demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice those who seek to sell stolen data to the highest bidder... To those seeking to operate a similar forum, take note: we will tirelessly investigate those who commit these crimes." With Fitzpatrick behind bars once again, it remains to be seen how long BreachForums will continue to operate under its notorious brand.

Although Fitzpatrick may no longer be running the site, it has been reported that BreachForums is still active, exploiting the notoriety created by Conor Brian Fitzpatrick. As law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts remain vigilant, the story of Pompompurin and the rise and fall of BreachForums serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by illicit hacking forums and the importance of continued vigilance in combating cybercrime.